A new ruling by the Europe Union’s top court on the recognition of same-sex marriage could have a major impact for queer couples across the EU.

In a ruling in regards to two Polish citizens who married in Germany, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has said that EU member states are obliged to recognise a union between two EU citizens which has “lawfully concluded in another member state” and where the couple in question have “exercised their freedom to move and reside”.

Refusal to recognise same-sex unions conducted in the EU is, the court has said, contrary to EU law and infringes on EU citizen’s freedom to move and reside as well as their rights to respect for private and family life.

However, the obligation to recognise does not require that a member state legalise same-sex marriag

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